SUMMARY OF LECTURE EIGHT
The WWW is a vast source of information, but since anyone can put information on the web, and no-one "polices" it, we need to view that information with caution and develop ways of authenticating it. Due to the open protocols of the web, and its open architecture, there is no control over who publishes what information and for what reasons and thus it is very open to unscrupulous users.
There are lots of aspects to what can be considered quality information. Mainly we need to decide what we need the information for and also what is the purpose of the site. We need to be the "editors" and decide whether the information in a site is useful. We need to "measure" the content, visual feel and ease of navigation of the site. We need to determine the type of content, the level of content and it's bias. We need to determine if the information is fit for our purpose.
There are suggested criteria available for evaluating sites on the web, written by various authors. Harris (1997) and Kirk (1996) have suggested criteria and they are in the readings for this week. Beck (1997) has also suggested criteria (accuracy, authority, objectivity,currency and coverage) and this was discussed in the lecture. Check to see if the site is error-free and if is there an editor who checks the information. Is the author's name there (maybe Google it to see if they are an expert or at least qualified to be writing the information)? Who is the sponsor of the site and how reputable are they - is there a link to more information about them? Is the information written without bias and is there any advertising on the page. Is the page dated and how current is the information? How in-depth is the information and does the information appear valid? These are just some of the questions that one writer suggests that we ask when using the web for information.
SUMMARY OF WORKSHOP EIGHT
The workshop was aimed at understanding the strategies that we can use to evaluate and authenticate websites. We had to make and record a summary of these strategies from a website which was designed for this purpose. We then had to choose two websites from a list and evaluate them according to given criteria and make a record of this.
Task 1:
Strategies for evaluating information found on websites:
1. Be clear on the topic that you are researching ask yourself if the website gives you the information that you require. Is the WWW the best place to look - sometimes the information that you require may be found more quickly in a book.
2. If you are in any doubt about the information in a site, check it against other sources for supporting information, by checking any bibliographic citations or links to other sites. Look for any ambiguity or bias. Check any assumptions that the site makes and also that you make.
3. Check the authors credentials. Check to see if they are qualified or have the expertise to give information on the topic. Go to the author link or Google their name.
4. What is the purpose of the site (is it to persuade, inform or sell)? Is the main message of the site clear and is there any information that you think was logical to include that has been excluded for whatever reason, and why has it been excluded?
5. Check the detail of the site for accuracy, such as spelling and grammar. How detailed is the material and is it well organised? Do the graphics serve a purpose? Is the information mainly factual or opinionated?
6. Was the material designed specifically for the web or something else? If it was designed for something else it may be credible or it may not be, so check that too.
Task 2:
EVALUATION OF SITE 1: AMERICAN CULTURAL HISTORY
Accuracy: There were no apparent spelling errors or grammatical errors that I noticed and the site seemed to contain reliable information. The information was written by one person and the site designed by another. The information was supplied by a college library which probably indicates a more credible site.
Authorship:The Author was Susan Goodwin and she is a librarian at the college library. Her e-mail address is supplied. Peggy Whitley designed the site and she is also a librarian at the college and her email address is also supplied. The library link showed a photograph of the library staff with them both in the photograph. The site has been put on the web by Kingwood college library and there is a link to their site. There is a list of references at the end of each section. The author appears to be credible and is qualified to supply information on the subject.
Purpose: The URL (with an "edu" in it) indicates that the site is for educational purposes. It is to inform the reader about American cultural history between 1960 and 1969. The information appears to be factual and non-biased and there is no advertising on the page. To quote from the site, its purpose is "to help the user gain a broad understanding and appreciation for the culture and history of the 1960's".
Detail and Design: The page is non-biased and has brought together information on cultural history from a specific time frame. The information is detailed and comprehensive, covering a wide expanse of topics within the overall topic (art and architecture, theatre, film, radio and television, books and literature, fashion and fads, education, music, events and technology and sports). The author suggests browsing all the information and then going back to visit specific links - so she has given an idea of the best way to use the site. She also says that there is "no way we can link to everything" but they "have attempted to find areas of special interest and to select information" that they consider worth knowing. It is a comprehensive site which is well arranged for easy navigation.
Overall worth: The site was established to educate the reader on cultural history in America in the 1960's. If the reader is looking for that particular general information or information from within one of the categories, then it is a worthwhile site to visit as the site appears to be credible, and comprehensive and also provides more information from the links.
EVALUATION OF SITE 4: THE PSYCHEDELIC 60'S
Accuracy: The information appears to be reliable and there were no obvious errors in spelling or grammar. The site has several contributors and the text is written by George Riser. The site has several awards which can be seen through the credits link. There is a copyright on the site. The site appears to have a high degree of accuracy.
Authorship: All the contributors are acknowledged in each section eg. the foreword is written by Kathryn Morgan who is the Associate Director for special collections at the library at the University of Virginia. This was verified when I googled her name. The site was designed by Josie Pipkin who is the web manager of the University library. The text for the site was written by George Riser who is a member of the University special collections staff and his contact details have been given. This was also verified when I googled his name. They all seem to be credible authors who have expertise in the subject and therefore are qualified to provide the information.
Purpose: The purpose of the site is to provide the reader information and images of a collection of books, poems, photographs and manuscripts from the1960's. The information is presented without bias and the images appear to be genuine. The site seems to be for educational or interest purposes which is also indicated by the URL containing "edu". The site appears to be a genuine site with a genuine purpose.
Detail and Design: The website details the social change that was happening in the 1960's. All the books, poems, photographs and manuscripts depict that change happening, so there are lots of examples that help the reader to establish a picture in his mind. The selection of exhibits is comprehensive and arranged into categories with accompanying explanations which make for easy navigation.
Overall worth: The site quite comprehensively covers the topic. This information may be available separately elsewhere, but if one were searching for information regarding the change happening at that time, this would be a useful site as it brings together a large volume of relevant information. This is a worthwhile site to visit if you are requiring information relating to the topic.
No comments:
Post a Comment